“It’s definitely worth studying for how an idea gets translated into architecture and moves beyond just a diagram, becoming something that’s evocative and playful but at the same time incredibly rigorous.”
— Thomas Robinson, AIA
Location Houston
Client Laura and Jason Logan
Architect LOJO Architecture
Design Team Jason Logan, Matt Johnson, AIA
Contractor Viviano Viviano
Structural Engineer INSIGHT Structures
Civil Engineer Karen Rose Engineering
Sliding Gate Fabrication Aria Signs & Design
Rainwater Collection Innovative Water Solutions
Mechanical & Geothermal Indoor Comfort Specialists
Electrical MJ Campbell Electric
Plumbing Pegasus Plumbing
Landscape Architect Falon Land Studio
Landscape Installation Telloc Landscape & Construction
The XO House reimagines the courtyard typology by stacking a courtyard house on top of four programmatic blocks, with the corners cantilevered to avoid an additional setback requirement for garages and carports. On the ground floor, the blocks form an “X,” with one serving as a studio, another as the entry stair up to the primary residence, and the other two as a secondary dwelling. The courtyard (“O”) configuration of the main residence is inspired by the Roman compluvium as a strategy for daylighting, passive airflow, and rainwater harvesting, while the landscape of native grasses and wildflowers covers seven geothermal wells that augment the heating and cooling load of the home.